Constitutional Convention

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009
Day 19 of School

Dear Delegates of the Constitutional Convention,

Yesterday, we were exposed to an overview of the creation of the Constitution. We learned that it is one of the most important documents for the United States of America as it defines the laws and organization of our system of government. What do you think life would be like without a Constitution?

Let's think about the Class Agreements we have created. How are they similar or different to the Constitution?

Today, we will read Grandfather's Journey by Allen Say. We will also create our Learning Center Contracts and begin one center. I expect you all to follow the Reader's Workshop Guidelines. In addition, we will continue to Live Like Writer's and write at every opportunity!

I hope you have all previewed your homework packet for the week. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask. Please remember to complete the morning work.

Journey from California to Japan

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009
Day 18 of School

Good Morning Journey Men and Women,

I hope that you all enjoyed your three days of rest and relaxation. Today is Tuesday. We will take a journey to Japan and California as we read a story about a boy who recalls the memories of his grandfather's immigration to the United States. This is a wonderful story.

We are also going to read a story called Enemy Pie which will be a good way to help you write your own stories in your Writer's Notebook.

This morning, please begin your work and stay focused. We will meet promptly for Community Meeting at 9:00 am, as you will be visiting Mrs. Chase for Math at 9:30. We must be prompt and punctual in that we catch every moment of learning time!

Love you teacher,

Miss O'Brien

Fantastic Friday!

Friday, September 25th, 2009

Day 17

Good Morning Fantastic Friends,

Today is Friday which means it is the day we get have the Library Experience. What a privilidge it is to be surrounded by so many wonderful books and they are all available to you! Go on an adventure with a good book this weekend...you have 3 whole days off!

Do you have any exciting plans this weekend? Fall is in the air! This is the best time of year to go apple picking and carve pumpkins. This is my favorite season! What is your favorite season?

Today will be chock full of activities and assessments. We will once again attempt to launch the Writer's Notebook. We will continue to explore the Lousiana Purchase Terriroty with Lewis and Clark from the point of view of Seaman!

Homework Packets are due today! Be sure to turn them into the "Homework Hub" before Community Meeting! We will be correcting the Reading Skill Sheets to review before the test!

Let's Have a Wonderful Day! Don't forget to vote for the mascot!

Love your teacher,

Miss O'Brien

We are all Great Reader's and Writer's!

Thursday, September 24rd, 2009

Day 16

Dear Wonderful Writer's;

For the past few days, I have been inspired to write! For me writing is about sharing my feelings and thoughts. Do you enjoy writing? Perhaps you enjoy telling stories. Writing is simply that, telling or sharing stories. Today, we are going to launch the Writer's Journal. This will become a typical routine. I think you will find, that you too enjoy writing!

This morning, we have such a busy, busy plan! We will continue to learn about health and wellness with Mrs. Walker and express ourselves musically with Mr. Manuele. We will then launch the Writer's Notebook followed by Reader's Workshop Centers. We are going to learn so much together.

I wonder what types of stories you like to tell. This morning, we will hear from Brandin as he shares something special with us! Remember those 3 important questions and do your very best today! I will be walking around with tickets!

Love,

Miss O'Brien

What is the best Mascot to represent the Huntington School?

Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009

Day 15

Dear Mysterious Mascots,

This year is a special year for the Huntington Community. We are redefining our school by declaring a mascot to represent our positive school climate. What do you think symbolizes the Huntington Community? How can we help to develop a positive school climate?

Like yesterday, we will continue along our learning journey with Lewis and Clark! We will read the story and continue to practice our good skills as reader's and writer's!

Remember today is a new day! We will be looking for good behavior and great work so that we can reward you with tickets! Work hard to earn a puzzle piece and compliments.

This morning we have Music and Computers then we will begin our expedition.

Be sure to vote for the mascot!

Love your teacher,

Miss O'Brien

Along the Learning Journey

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009
Day 14

Dear Motivated Journeymen (and women),

Today is the 14th day of school. We have accomplished so very much to this point. Can you share what you have learned about fourth grade? How about your classroom or Huntington Community?

Today is the first day of Chorus: Congratulations to Ariana B., Arianna P., Antones, Govanni, Dajah, Christina, Kevley, Jaylen, and Shelby! Showcase your talents and sing from your souls!

Today, we will review Monday’s assignments from the Homework Packet and take a look at tonight’s assignments. We will continue on our expedition west to explore the United States new territory purchased from the French, the Louisiana Territory.

As you enter this morning, please complete your Spelling Sort. We will begin Morning Meeting when our Chorus Members return. Remember, when you think you are done, you have only just begun….perhaps you have just begun a new book, or just begun your Reading Roadtrip Postcard, or a few assignments from your Work in Progress Folder, or started to ponder something for our Wonder Pot!

Every moment you are here in school, there is something that can be done to continue the journey along the road to learning and discovery!

Love your teacher,
Miss O’Brien

Exploring the Past!

Monday, September 21st, 2009

Day 13

Dear Excellent Expeditionary Explorers,

This is going to be a wonderful week! We are going to travel back in time with a Newfoundland dog named Seaman. He will take us on a journey with Lewis and Clark as they explore the old Louisiana Purchase Territory. We will learn about Author’s Purpose, the four types of sentences, and the Constitution.

I worked very hard this weekend to prepare a few new procedures that will surely help us to be organized and maximize the time we spend reading, writing, discussing and learning.

Please make every attempt to remember your individual jobs and goals in that you will have a successful week.

This morning at Morning Meeting we will discuss our Book of the Month The Three Questions. We will also play a new game, and hopefully hear from Arianna as she builds her Citizen of the Week Showcase!

Love your teacher,
Miss O’Brien

Do you want to buy a duck?

Friday, September 18th, 2009

Day 12

Dear Super Spellers,

Congratulations, you have survived your first full week of school. Each Friday is packed with a great deal of “ketchup.” What I mean is, we have to catch-up on all of the work we began and try to finish it up. In addition, we will take a few assessments to show what we learned this week. We will work on completing the GRADE test, and our Reading Comprehension packet.

Let’s work hard to remember all of the policies and procedures we have learned so far. We will also get started on our workshops in math and reading today. So put on your thinking caps and let’s get ready to learn!

I would like to begin our morning playing “You want to buy a duck.” Also, I would like to review the procedures for sharing during Morning Meeting. Monday, the first person to share will be Arianna Penna as she will be the “Citizen of the Week.”

REMINDER: Summer Reading and Summer Math is due Monday. Please make every attempt to turn it in!

Love your teacher,
Miss O’Brien

Thursday, September 17th, 2009

Day 11

Dear Community Collaborators,

Today is the 11th day of school. We have learned so much. Yesterday, you were all very responsible and controlled during the fire drill practice. I was very impressed with your sophistication and seriousness. In addition, you received many compliments from so many Huntington School Community members.

Today, we will be taking the GRADE. This is a test to assess your reading comprehension. This is tool that I will use to better prepare your guided reading lessons.

Yesterday, we read Because of Winn Dixie, and practiced using our reading skills and strategies to understand the text. Remember that Reading is thinking about many things.

Today, we will work on sequencing the events of Winn Dixie as well as answer the Reader Response Questions.

REMINDER: All homework should be placed in your pocket. You should have your Book Bags on your desk and your WHITE work in progress folder out. Keep an organized working area so that you are able to focus.

If you need help, remember those 3 important questions:

Who is the most important one? What is the right thing to do?

When is the right time to do it? Always remember I believe in you!

Love your teacher,

Miss O’Brien

Happy Birthday Alyssa!

Day 9

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Dear Community Career Applicants ,

Today is the 9th day of school. Today is a half day. I would like you to recall Mrs. Saba’s presentation from last week. We must remember the guidelines of the school. Remember to walk through the halls silently and keep a watchful eye for the silent signal. This will help to maintain a respectful learning environment.

This morning, we will continue to practice our handwriting and I will introduce declarative and interrogative sentences. You will visit Mrs. Chase for Mathematics as well. If you need to visit Mrs. Maguire to purchase a weekly lunch ticket be sure to do that before Morning Meeting.

We must be very productive today as we need to end our day celebrating Alyssa’s Birthday. Do you remember the Wacky Birthday Song? Think of a special wish for her Birthday Beans!

Love your teacher,
Miss O’Brien

Day 8

Monday, September 14th, 2009

Dear Fourth Graders,

Today is the 8th day of 4th grade! We will practice more routines today such as how to write an entry in your writer’s journal, spelling, and vocabulary. There are many things to remember in the first few days of school, if you get stuck remember those 3 questions:

• Who is the most important one?


• What is the right thing to do?


• When is the right time to do it?
  

Today we will begin our typical reading routine. I will introduce a new center to you each time I feel you have mastered one. I will introduce your morning work which will be grammar and handwriting. We will study the Constitution this week in Social Studies.

This morning at Morning Meeting, we will announce the jobs. I think some of you will be pretty pleased. Also, this week we will change our seats in that you sit according to student number.

First things first, let’s gather our book bags and folders and get started.
I am sure we will have another successful day!

Love your teacher,

Miss O’Brien

Remembering Routines

Thursday, September 10th, 2009

Day8

Dear Students,

Good morning! Today is the 6th day of school. We welcome our Kindergarten Citizens to the Huntington Community today. Be sure to set a good example for all of them.

Today we are lucky enough to have a double specialist again. Mrs. Walker will be here for Health followed by Music with Mr. Manuele.

In reading class today we will work on developing our Passports to reading and discuss what reader’s workshop looks like and sounds like. You will switch for Math with Mrs. Chase and continue on your learning journey.

We learned new routines for homework yesterday and we will have many other routines to learn today as well.

Let’s have a wonderful day!

Love your teacher,

Miss O’Brien

Back after a long break!

September 8th, 2009

Day 4

Dear Weekenders,

Good morning to you! I hope you had an enjoyable weekend! I sure did, we are one weekend away from Patriots Season. Are any of you football fans?

This morning, you will continue to practice your handwriting, we will collect forms, and take a spelling pretest. We will begin our Book of the Month and discuss what qualities you look for in a teacher and I look for in a student! We will switch with Mrs. Chase today as well.

You will begin to get your normal homework assignments today as well as your September project; All about Me and My Summer Vacation!

I can’t wait to work with each of you today! Have a wonderful 4th day of school!

Love your teacher,

Miss O’Brien

Survival Skills

September 4th, 2009

Day 3

Dear Survivors,

You have survived the first 2 days of fourth grade! Today, is Friday, the day we celebrate all that we have learned this week! We will bid farewell at the end of the day and welcome our 3 day weekend in honor of Labor Day. Does anyone know what Labor Day celebrates?

Today we will share a few more thoughts about ourselves in our “Just a Thought Poem”, test our handwriting skills with a pre-test, and take a spelling inventory to see which spelling rules we have memorized.

I haven’t shared this year’s special surprise with you yet! This year you will have two teachers. I will be your teacher for homeroom, reading and Social Studies. Each day you will spend some time with Mrs. Chase next door to learn your Mathematics and Science Curriculum. We will practice those routines today!

I am sure you will have a fantastic day! I can’t wait for Morning Meeting we will play the game Zoom again and we will learn a little something special about each person!
I am sure we will have another successful day!

Love your teacher,

Miss O’Brien

Here's to Day 2 and a 4th Grade You!

September 3rd, 2009
Day 2

Dear Fourth Graders,

Today is the 2nd day of 4th grade! Today and every Thursday, we will have a double specialist. We will have Health at 9:15 am followed immediately by Music at 9:50 am. We will practice more routines today and review the many that you learned yesterday.

Remember the qualities that you said you had yesterday? We are going to share those at today’s Morning Meeting which will take place after Music.

The activities planned today are to complete a Coat of Arms, choose official seats and coat hooks, and complete an activity to establish teamwork and communication in your groups. Yesterday was so wonderful, I can only expect an even better day today!

Love your teacher,

Miss O’Brien

Welcome Back to School!

September 2nd, 2009
Day 1

Dear Fourth Graders,

Welcome back to school! Today is the first day of 4th grade! It is a new beginning and a fresh start. What do you hope to learn in fourth grade? Do you have any goals or things you would like to master this year? Think long and hard about this. As you and your classmates settle into their seats, please complete the personal survey that is on your desk! This will help me to learn more about you. Please use your very best handwriting as this will be saved for you to look back at on the 180th day of school!
Have a FABULOUS FIRST DAY OF FOURTH GRADE!

Love your teacher,
Miss O’Brien